At the April 5 school board meeting, the Montgomery County School Board voted unanimously to modify school start times. Starting in August 2016, elementary schools will start at 9:15 a.m. and dismiss at 3:45 p.m. All secondary schools will start at 8:05 a.m. and dismiss at 2:50 p.m.

“By using modified bus routes and relying on our grab and go breakfast model, we are able to realize significant time in the morning,” said Superintendent Mark Miear. “We know that our adolescents need a later start time for school and feel that this schedule is a good step in moving toward that goal.”

“Our board is committed to ensuring that all students have the best opportunities to learn and optimum school start times are a part of that,” said Board Chairwoman Gunin Kiran. “By taking advantage of small changes we will be able to see a big difference in potential gained sleep time for adolescents.”

Information will go out to parents throughout the next few months to ensure that they are aware of the change and can make any necessary adjustments to their schedules.

The change in school times will begin with the 2016-2017 school year. The full report from the superintendents is available online.